The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has provided insight into the rationale behind the Federal Government’s decision to introduce tolls on major roads across the country.
Speaking during the eighth edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the National Press Centre, Abuja, Umahi emphasized that the move is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to grow Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion and boost local content participation.
The session was also attended by the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev.
Umahi explained that tolling is a strategic component of the Federal Government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) — a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework aimed at not only constructing but also maintaining critical road infrastructure nationwide.
“In the past, roads were built, but this is the first time a President is truly constructing roads with lasting quality,” Umahi said. “None of the previous roads lasted up to 50 years. President Tinubu is changing that narrative.”
He disclosed that over 35,000 kilometers of roads are currently under the federal network, and with the addition of the new Legacy Project, the network is expected to exceed 38,000 kilometers — a scale that surpasses the reach of annual budgetary allocations.
“That’s why we are involving the private sector. When the roads are completed, we will engage stakeholders and commence tolling — not just for revenue, but to ensure sustainability through maintenance,” he added.
Umahi maintained that the tolling system is in line with global best practices and is essential for maintaining road infrastructure and attracting private investment in the transport sector.
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